The Health Minister is sounding alarm bells, warning noncommunicable diseases, (NCDs) are wreaking havoc among Jamaicans. He reveals more and more individuals below the global average life expectancy age, of 75, are falling prey to NCDs like diabetes, stroke, hypertensive diseases and prostate cancer, when compared to a decade ago. The 2020 data found NCDs accounted for 77 percent of deaths, claiming the lives of nearly 17,000 people in a single year. Almost 60 percent died early.
The Minister stresses the need for early detection, noting undoubtedly prevention is better than cure. To drive the point home, he cites some various data while urging people to be proactive with their health and get regular screenings. This stark reality has given life to an ambitious “know your numbers” initiative, which Tufton says is the first step to managing and preventing premature illness and mortality.
The ministry hopes to get at least half a million screening tests done this year. Plans are also being made for the process to be routine in public health facilities.
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